JJ's Hearts are ready to hunt down Hibees

HEARTS will begin a determined pursuit of Hibs and others above them in the SPL the moment top-six status is secured, manager Jim Jefferies said today.

Whilst cementing a place in the top half of the table remains his priority, Jefferies opined that Hearts would be in an ideal position should they enter post-split fixtures in sixth place. That would enable them to chase clubs in third, fourth and fifth place – currently Dundee United, Motherwell and Hibs respectively – without fear of dropping into the league's lower echelons.

"The first thing is to get the top six place," said Jefferies. "Once you do that you have five games. You look at who's above you and you say 'can we catch them?' With 15 points from five games, you go for it if it's possible.

"Once you're in the top six, sixth place is a good position to start from. The team above you are looking over their shoulders and you have nothing to lose because you can't fall below sixth. You can be the hunter rather than the hunted.

"Hibs have a great advantage over us, seven points with a game in hand. That could potentially make it ten points which we know would be very difficult.

"Whether it's Hibs, Motherwell or Dundee United we're chasing, it's going to be hard because everyone is cutting one another's throats.

"We need to concentrate on the Rangers game this weekend and try to get a win. If that takes us a step nearer the top six it will be extremely satisfying."

Lithuanian defender Marius Zaliukas has returned to training and Jefferies is optimistic that he will be available this weekend after overcoming a hamstring injury. Ian Black has recovered from concussion but Michael Stewart's calf problem will be assessed later in the week.